Anyone in nursing and dentistry ?

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Nov 7, 2005

Neat. Which do you like most? Or do you enjoy them the same? :)

Toothbrushx2 · Nov 7, 2005

Neat. Which do you like most? Or do you enjoy them the same? :)

I love both just the same !!! It is great to have more than one skill. :nurse: Thanks for asking me.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Nov 8, 2005

My best friend in nursing school was a dental hygienist who wanted to also be a nurse. She worked as a hygienist a couple of days of week to support herself through school. She also offered to clean our teeth for free! She was great with mouth care on patients. I had to have radiation therapy for a parotid tumor some years ago and was deparate to find information about the long term effects of radiation on the teeth and mouth. It was an instructor in the dental hygiene program at the state university where I lived that I was able to get the best information from. And, it has been in the last year after going through 6 months of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to stave off osteoradionecrosis in that same jaw that I finally found a physician who knew all about what radiation therapy did to bone over time. He worked with a physician some years ago who rebuilds mandibles after radical surgery for cancer in the mandible. Because of my own personal problems with this, it is of interest to me. Where ever these health care experts on the teeth and mouth are within the nursing community is anybody's guess. I think the reason is because you don't normally see a lot of patient's with teeth and mouth problems in the hospital. They are often discharged home after a day or two when they've had surgery. However, I can tell you that having xerostomia, mucositis, and loss of ability to distinguish sweet and salty tastes due to radiation therapy is no picnic to cope with. What you are going to have to do is just kind of become your own little expert on this and offer your knowledge to others. We had a patient once whose dentition was so bad that one of his teeth fell out when he was being suctioned with a yankauer and it never even bled!

Toothbrushx2 · Nov 8, 2005

My best friend in nursing school was a dental hygienist who wanted to also be a nurse. She worked as a hygienist a couple of days of week to support herself through school. She also offered to clean our teeth for free! She was great with mouth care on patients. I had to have radiation therapy for a parotid tumor some years ago and was deparate to find information about the long term effects of radiation on the teeth and mouth. It was an instructor in the dental hygiene program at the state university where I lived that I was able to get the best information from. And, it has been in the last year after going through 6 months of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to stave off osteoradionecrosis in that same jaw that I finally found a physician who knew all about what radiation therapy did to bone over time. He worked with a physician some years ago who rebuilds mandibles after radical surgery for cancer in the mandible. Because of my own personal problems with this, it is of interest to me. Where ever these health care experts on the teeth and mouth are within the nursing community is anybody's guess. I think the reason is because you don't normally see a lot of patient's with teeth and mouth problems in the hospital. They are often discharged home after a day or two when they've had surgery. However, I can tell you that having xerostomia, mucositis, and loss of ability to distinguish sweet and salty tastes due to radiation therapy is no picnic to cope with. What you are going to have to do is just kind of become your own little expert on this and offer your knowledge to others. We had a patient once whose dentition was so bad that one of his teeth fell out when he was being suctioned with a yankauer and it never even bled!

I enjoyed reading your post !!! Thanks for your response--very interesting. :nurse:

following_faith · Nov 13, 2005

Do hygienists work in hospitals?

Is it like nursing-in the sense that there is more to it than people realize?

I see ads for dental hygienists all the time...it is very in demand!

Can it be as fulfilling as being a nurse?

Larry77, RN · Nov 13, 2005

My wife is a dental assistant and I'm an RN. We have talked about her going back to school for her hygienist but she says she doesn't think she would like that part of the job because she feels it's too repetitive and really likes to work with the dentist. I don't really want her to go back to school with our kids being pretty young but I would sure welcome the pay she would make as a hygienist (around here 30-45$/hr). She would start out at the same wage I make after 5 years grrr.

How much more do you make working as a hygienist than you do working as an LPN?

Toothbrushx2 · Nov 13, 2005

My wife is a dental assistant and I'm an RN. We have talked about her going back to school for her hygienist but she says she doesn't think she would like that part of the job because she feels it's too repetitive and really likes to work with the dentist. I don't really want her to go back to school with our kids being pretty young but I would sure welcome the pay she would make as a hygienist (around here 30-45$/hr). She would start out at the same wage I make after 5 years grrr.
How much more do you make working as a hygienist than you do working as an LPN?

Currently, I am not working in dental hygiene. I am having difficulty finding a job--the dentists are stating they want someone with experience. How do I ever get experience if noone gives me a chance? :nurse: :nurse: I am thinking about getting my BSN.

Toothbrushx2 · Nov 13, 2005

Do hygienists work in hospitals?
Is it like nursing-in the sense that there is more to it than people realize?
I see ads for dental hygienists all the time...it is very in demand!
Can it be as fulfilling as being a nurse?

Yes, to all your questions. You see more hygienists in VA hosptial than regular hospitals. It can get repetitive at times. RDH are growing in demand. It can be just as fulfilling as being a nurse. I am speaking from having clinicals in school. Read my post below. It is harder to find a job. Most dentists want experienced RDH's. I have encounter this problem !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How do I ever get experience if noone will hire me ??

starae · Nov 13, 2005

I worked years in dentistry in the Air Force. Earned an AAS degree in dental assisting and one in dental laboratory. The only problem with dentistry is it can get boring and repetitive. I also developed CTS while doing hygiene (you don't have to be licensed to do it in the military). Basically went into nursing to expand my knowledge beyond the mouth and face. I would love to find a job that combines my experience in both fields. I do get a little excited when I have a patient who also has dental issues and love to answer questions for them. Good to know there are other teeth people out there in the nursing world!